The UK and NHS could help license the world’s first norovirus vaccine as a groundbreaking clinical trial is set to begin over the next two weeks to evaluate a new mRNA vaccine.

Including at 27 NHS sites, the phase three trial will recruit across Great Britain with 2,500 participants expected to join the study between this month and early next year.

Cutting edge innovation

The trial comes as part of the UK Government’s deal with US pharma company Moderna two years ago. The study will look into the vaccine know as mRNA-1403, investigating:

• Efficacy
• Safety
• Immunogenicity

The trial is being delivered through the National Institute for Health and Care and the UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway, with NIHR south west regional director, Dr Patrick Moore, acting as the UK’s chief investigator.

“The UK is really pleased to be able to play an important role in helping find an effective vaccine against this highly contagious disease,” he said. “Outbreaks of norovirus have huge consequences, both on our health systems and our economy. This innovative trial is crucial in helping us advance healthcare.”

The NIHR – along with the devolved administrations – is working on a range of recruitment techniques to streamline the trial’s delivery, including its flagship tool, Be Part of Research.

Potential impact

It is thought that norovirus, characterised as a transmissible stomach bug, costs the NHS upwards of £100m a year, with annual infections estimated to be around 3.7 million.

Wes Streeting, the health secretary, said: “Not only is this a huge vote of confidence in the UK’s life sciences sector, but a successful vaccine will help shift our health system away from sickness and towards prevention – reducing pressure on the NHS and keeping people well during the colder months.”

This is the final stage before the vaccine’s manufacturers can apply to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for a licence.

There are currently no licenced norovirus vaccines anywhere in the world. CEO at the NIHR, Professor Lucy Chappell, added that the vaccine has the potential to impact the lives of many – especially society’s most vulnerable.

As a whole, the move will be seen as a major vote of confidence to the UK’s life sciences sector.

To learn more about what is happening in the life sciences sector, register for an exclusive NHE online conference tomorrow.

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